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Keeping brackish filter feeders

Started by Guest_Amazon_* , Aug 09 2009 10:22 AM

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9 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_Amazon_*

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Posted 09 August 2009 - 10:22 AM

I have a few barnacles and oysters and ive been watching them filter feed and it is just awesome. I would love to keep a few of these alive and my only problem has been feeding. i read somewhere that if you blend algae wafers and some water together to make like a paste that they may be able to eat that. Do yall think this is possible?

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#2 Guest_Newt_*

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Posted 09 August 2009 - 11:20 AM

That might work, I don't know, but there are lots of commercially available plankton mixes for filter-feeding reef species. These should do just fine for your oysters and barnacles. The only issue is that you will probably need to feed them several times a day.

Another option is culturing your own plankton. I have not tried culturing saltwater plankton and don't know how difficult it is, but growing freshwater plankton (copepods, rotifers, paramecia, euglenoids, etc.) is very easy. You really just need water, a food source, aeration, and light (for the euglenoids).

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#3 Guest_Amazon_*

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Posted 09 August 2009 - 12:14 PM

Thanks a lot Newt. If I do use the agae stuff how much should I feed each day? 1 teaspoon? 1 tablespoon?
Im thinking about feeding twice a day.

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#4 Guest_Piscator_*

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Posted 22 August 2009 - 08:58 PM

Amazon--Please post your results. I've enjoyed watching oysters and barnacles as well, even had some barnacles start growing on the glass, but I've never had long-term success with them. I would love to set up a real oyster reef. Best of luck!

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#5 Guest_Amazon_*

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Posted 22 August 2009 - 11:30 PM

Well I went to the aquarium store and bought this special food made for filter feeding corals but it contained phytoplankton, rotifers, etc. It was actually cheaper than the algae wafers. So far the oysters and barnacles are doing great. I feed them about twice a day on weekends and once a day on week days. It is very fun watching them, especially the way the barnacles spread their "hand" out and grab food. The oysters are really a lot easier to take care of than I thought.

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#6 Guest_Piscator_*

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 09:49 PM

Do you take any precautions against having the food taken up in the filter; i.e., turn the filter off when feeding?

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#7 Guest_Amazon_*

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Posted 28 August 2009 - 03:31 PM

No, I just moved my filter all the way to the left side of the tank, and the oysters all th way to the left. oh yeah, I have mussles too.

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#8 Guest_Amazon_*

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Posted 25 September 2009 - 09:03 PM

Just an update. All the oysters, mussels, and barnacles are doing great on that coral food. Im still using the same pack so they last a long time.

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#9 Guest_Piscator_*

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Posted 25 September 2009 - 09:15 PM

Thanks for the update! I've got a few barnacles and oysters that have been in my tank for a month or so. I haven't bought the coral food you've recommended (haven't been to a pet store), but I do occasionally introduce some real seawater when I'm doing changes.

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#10 Guest_Amazon_*

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Posted 26 September 2009 - 08:25 PM

Glad to hear about your success! I think a few oysters could go without feeding. but when you have 8 oysters, tons of barncacles, and many mussels like I do its a good idea to feed. My fish love it to!